Alvan Ikoku College of Education shut as violence erupts

The Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, has been closed down indefinitely following a rampage by students that resulted to the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.

The Provost of the institution, Dr Blessing Ijeoma announced the closure of all academic activities during a media chat in her office in Owerri.

She said the management had done its best to supply electricity to students and blamed the violence on some students who she said caused it because they were not ready to start the approaching examination.

“We have closed down the school for now to avert further destruction,” she said.

The provost denied any increase in school fees as alleged by students, saying the management only intended to stop the females from going to the male students’ hostel to sleep, a situation which she said had been going on in the campus.

She explained that the students were informed about the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria fees of N3000 for NCE students and N6000 for degree students which she said is a professional fee that has nothing to do with the management

The students carried out a violent protest within and outside the campuses against the hike in school fees and poor electricity supply to the campus.

Properties which included 20 official vehicles were destroyed and the provost’s office vandalized, with internet facilities looted.